A site in Nailsworth that once housed eight prefabricated bungalows has been transformed into 11 modern apartments for older people by Stroud District Council.

A ribbon was cut to mark the occasion by Stroud District Council's chair Gary Powell and Nailsworth Town Council's deputy mayor Mike Kelly, at a ceremony attended by invited guests.

Work to the 11 eleven new apartments at Tanners Piece started in September 2018 and has taken just nine months to complete.

The project is part of Stroud District Council’s £8million investment in modernising and rebuilding its sheltered housing schemes to ensure they meet the needs of an ageing population. Nationally it is expected that there will be a significant increase in the number of older people over the next 20 years, and Stroud district is likely to be no exception.

The scheme has been designed by Quattro Design Architects to provide high quality independent living in a safe and secure environment. Features include light, spacious rooms, a secure scooter store and lift to the first floors. Gloucester based builder EG Carter & Co Ltd worked closely with local residents during construction to minimise noise and disruption.

Chas Townley, chair of SDC’s Housing Committee said:

"Tanners Piece is the first purpose built council housing for older people since the 1980s. It is a well-designed modern scheme providing good quality homes for older people to live independently for longer. I hope that we will be able to build similar schemes in the future."

The first tenants moved in on 24th June, and it is expected that all 11 apartments will be occupied by the end of July.

Stroud District Council is the only local authority in Gloucestershire which still owns and manages council houses.